Bush Helps Raise $17M for Republicans

SHARON THEIMER

Published 8:00 pm, Tuesday, May 20, 2003

Associated Press Writer

President Bush helped raise at least $17 million for Republican Senate and House candidates on Wednesday in a major boost to the party's effort to keep control of Congress and a reflection of the GOP's prowess at collecting cash despite the new campaign finance law's restrictions.

The gala at the Washington Convention Center will be the closest any political party has come to matching the record $30 million-plus that Bush helped the Republican National Committee and the two congressional campaign organizations raise at each of two galas last spring.

At those events, so-called "soft money" donations, the unlimited contributions from corporations, labor unions and wealthy donors, were permitted. Under the campaign finance law that went into effect last November, the national parties can raise only "hard money," donations of up to $25,000 per year from individuals and political action committees.

A gala record of more than 7,400 people were expected to attend the event, the first fund-raiser involving Bush since a December event for a Louisiana Senate candidate. A similar event last year drew around 5,000 people.

About two-thirds of the money was being raised by the National Republican Congressional Committee, which focuses on House candidates, and about one-third by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said congressional sources, on condition of anonymity.

The House leadership asked its members to raise at least $25,000 each or sell at least one 10-seat table for the $2,500-per-ticket event. Unlike past galas, the two committees were keeping the money they raised rather than splitting the total.

Black ties were optional, and Bush was opting not to wear one, with those sharing the head table with the president asked to follow suit, according to sources. The Oak Ridge Boys were scheduled to entertain the crowd.

Bush helped Republicans raise more than $140 million last year as they successfully maintained their majority hold on Congress.

Bush, who announced his re-elected bid last Friday, immediately started fund raising over the Internet. His supporters say that with help from his network of volunteer fund-raisers known as "pioneers," he could raise $200 million or more for the GOP primaries. Bush so far has no opponent in the primaries.

The fund raising comes as the Supreme Court prepares to decide the fate of the campaign finance law.

A lower court earlier this month struck down part of the soft-money ban on national party committees as an unconstitutional violation of free-speech rights. It decided this week to block its ruling from taking effect pending a Supreme Court review, which is expected to take several months.